The Indiana quarterback has been the top selection by the Raiders for months. He used that time to get a head start on learning their offense.

Fernando Mendoza rose to superstardom as a Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion and the top quarterback in the country at Indiana.

Mendoza, a business student, spent his summers interning at commercial real estate and investing firms. He’s a proud finance wonk. And the only social media he bothers keeping on his phone is LinkedIn. 

So it made sense that he would go to extreme lengths to prepare for his next job before his first day. Which is why Mendoza spent recent weeks finding ways to practice like a Las Vegas Raider before he officially became a Raider. 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/interactive/nfl-draft-2026-live-pick-tracker-results/

hFirst 10 picks

1		Fernando Mendoza QB, Indiana
2		David Bailey EDGE, Texas Tech
3		Jeremiyah Love RB, Notre Dame
4		Carnell Tate WR, Ohio State
5		Arvell Reese EDGE, Ohio State
6		Mansoor Delane CB, LSU
7		Sonny Styles LB, Ohio State
8
9
10